Special K and ReShade may be used together, but different methods may be needed depending on the game. Check the Standard Installation section as well as the Alternative Installation Methods section in this page. If those instructions somehow don’t work or there is a problem (such as a crash, black screen, or other visual issues after launching the game), then try one of the methods or additinal config setting(s) listed under the Game Specific section (even if your game is not listed there). Also, keep in mind that Special K’s scRGB HDR might not work properly if ReShade is added to the game.
#installers channel in the Special K Discord Server.Visit the official ReShade website and download the latest version of ReShade.
Follow the instructions of the ReShade installer to install ReShade for your selected game.
Launch the game with Special K.
Options to try when the standard installation method above doesn’t work.
Special K 23.6.26.3 or later is required to use this feature.
Special K automatically loads a ReShade32.dll or ReShade64.dll present in the game folder and creates the necessary configuration files for ReShade.
This is equivalent to manually adding it as a Lazy plug-in.
Download the ReShade installer from the official ReShade website and extract it using your favorite file archiver, like 7zip, to get the ReShade32.dll and ReShade64.dll.
Visit the official ReShade website and download the latest version of ReShade.
Follow the instructions of the ReShade installer to install ReShade for your selected game.
dxgi.dll to d3d11.dll.dxgi.dll to d3d12.dll.Then launch the game with Special K using global injection.
Alternatively, you can try local injection — rename SpecialK’s dll to dxgi.dll and place it in the game’s folder along with the ReShade dll file renamed to d3d11.dll or d3d12.dll.
Using the plugin system can lead to success in games that don’t work using the above methods or in games that show visual glitches when using Special K combined with ReShade.
The instructions below expect an unmodded game. It’s recommended to follow each step in order.
The files of other mods, including SK’sdxgi.dllanddxgi.ini, could stop the ReShade installer from creating the necessary file(s).
The following example shows usage for local injection:
Download the latest version of ReShade.
Follow the instructions of the ReShade installer to install ReShade for your selected game.
Open the game’s directory.
Rename ReShade’s DLL to ReShade64.dll.
Install a local version of Special K by following the instructions in the Set up a local install page.
#nightly-builds channel in the Special K Discord Server.SpecialK.central if you did.Launch the game and then close it.
Add the following to Special K’s configuration:
[Import.ReShade64]
Architecture=x64
Filename=ReShade64.dll
Role=ThirdParty
When=Lazy
When=Early or When=PlugIn (case sensitive) if ReShade doesn’t load with When=Lazy.ReShade32.dll and Architecture=Win32 for 32bit games).Some games start with a black screen or have other visual issues when used with the standard installation method.
Below is a list with known workarounds.
Nier Automata shows a glitched titlescreen and/or other visual defects (such as missing pod bullets/effects in the game) when using the standard installation method.
The instructions below expect an unmodded game. It’s recommended to follow each step in order.
The files of other mods, including SK’sdxgi.dllanddxgi.ini, could stop the ReShade installer from creating the necessary file(s).
Download the latest version of ReShade.
Follow the instructions of the ReShade installer to install ReShade for Nier:Automata.
Open the Nier:Automata game directory: \steamapps\common\NieRAutomata.
Rename the dxgi.dll to ReShade64.dll.
Install a local version of Special K by following the instructions in the Set up a local install page.
SpecialK64.dll and rename it to dxgi.dll.SpecialK.central if you did.#nightly-builds in the Special K Discord Server.SpecialK64.dll to your game directory: \steamapps\common\NieRAutomata.SpecialK64.dll to dxgi.dll.Launch the game, it might hang with a white screen on the first launch, and then close it.
dxgi.ini.dxgi.ini file automatically if there isn’t one when launching the game.)Add the following to the dxgi.ini:
[Import.ReShade64]
Architecture=x64
Filename=ReShade64.dll
Role=ThirdParty
When=Lazy
If you intend to use a ReShade preset at this point, make sure to not overwrite the
dxgi.dlland do not add a ReShaded3d11.dllinto the Nier:Automata game folder.
The instructions below expect an unmodded game. It’s recommended to follow each step in order.
The files of other mods, including SK’sd3d9.dllandd3d9.ini, could stop the ReShade installer from creating the necessary file(s).
Download the latest version of ReShade.
Follow the instructions of the ReShade installer to install ReShade for Tales of Berseria.
Open the Tales of Berseria game directory: \steamapps\common\Tales of Berseria.
Rename the d3d9.dll to ReShade64.dll.
Follow the instructions in the TBFix page to install Special K/TBfix.
Add the following to the d3d9.ini:
[Import.ReShade64]
Architecture=x64
Filename=ReShade64.dll
Role=ThirdParty
When=Lazy
If you intend to use a ReShade preset at this point, make sure to not overwrite the
d3d9.dllin the Tales of Berseria game folder.
The instructions below expect an unmodded game. It’s recommended to follow each step in order.
The files of other mods, including SK’sdxgi.dllanddxgi.ini, could stop the ReShade installer from creating the necessary file(s).
Download the latest version of ReShade.
Follow the instructions of the ReShade installer to install ReShade for Final Fantasy XV.
Open the Final Fantasy XV game directory: \steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XV.
Rename the dxgi.dll to ReShade64.dll.
Follow the instructions in the Final Fantasy XV page to install Special K.
Launch the game, it may crash on launch at this point, and then close it.
dxgi.ini:[Import.ReShade64]
Architecture=x64
Filename=ReShade64.dll
Role=ThirdParty
When=Lazy
dxgi.ini:UseFlipDiscard=false to prevent a crash on launch if playing in SDR.If you intend to use a ReShade preset at this point, make sure to not overwrite the
dxgi.dlland do not add ad3d11.dllinto the Final Fantasy XV game folder.
The instructions below expect an unmodded game. It’s recommended to follow each step in order.
The files of other mods, including SK’sdxgi.dllanddxgi.ini, could stop the ReShade installer from creating the necessary file(s).
Download the latest version of ReShade.
Follow the instructions of the ReShade installer to install ReShade for Final Fantasy X|X-2.
Open the Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster game directory: \steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY FFX&FFX-2 HD Remaster.
Rename the dxgi.dll to d3d11.dll.
Follow the instructions in the UnX page to install Special K/UnX.
Launch the game. Final Fantasy X|X-2 should now work with Special K/UnX and ReShade!
If you intend to use a ReShade preset at this point, make sure to not overwrite the
dxgi.dlland do not add ad3d11.dllinto the Final Fantasy X|X-2 game folder.
SpecialK64.dll and rename it to dxgi.dll.When=PlugIn when adding the ReShade import at step 7.ReShade (Custom) refers to a custom fork of ReShade that Kaldaien created back in 2017 and shipped alongside some of his game-specific mods. This fork of ReShade had support for being triggered by Special K before the HUD of games were drawn, allowing the use of custom post-processing shaders without affecting the UI elements of a game.
It also has much higher compatibility, because all of its hook, input and UI code was removed and replaced with SK’s.
This fork is outdated and generally not compatible with modern versions of ReShade shaders, and so is not recommended. See the standard installation section above for how to install regular ReShade instead.